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Opinion

From Library Staff

Fans of Chimamanda Adichie looking to discover another great African novelist with a strong and unique voice, will enjoy this debut from Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo. This story of a young girl named Darling who leaves the violence of her native Zimbabwe to live with her aunt in Detroit i... Read More &raquo

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Bulawayo is a writer to watch for. At the beginning, the narrative is set in a war and disease-ravaged Zimbabwe. 10 yr old Darling and her buddies live in a shanty town next to a rich white enclave. Along with playing "Find Bin Laden", they steal and then gorge themselves on guavas from the rich people's trees. Their life is hard but they have each other. Eventually, Darling emigrates to Michigan to live with her hard-working aunt. The transition is extremely abrupt and perhaps this is meant to signify Darling's experience. In this second section, the narrative felt more like vignettes as compared with the first section. Although stylistically this was somewhat challenging, Darling's voice is authentic and the prose is lyrical, even when describing horrifying events. I agree with one reviewer about the gratuitous violence at the very end of the book but will say no more about this to avoid spoilers.

This book was engrossing at times, and occasionally disturbing. A frank and realistic reflection on what it means to be an immigrant and to leave you country behind.
This story was told in a unique voice, which gave me a sense that the words were being spoken, rather than written.
I couldn't say that I enjoyed the story, but rather I felt compelled to read all the way to the end. I learned a lot. I think I understand a little better than I did before, but as the author so astutely points out - only those who have experienced it can really know what it's like.

"Ten-year-old Darling used to go to school, but as Zimbabwe falters under a violent regime, she and her friends spend much of their time stealing fruit from rich neighbourhoods (and hiding as gangs invade the homes). Though their lives are chaotic, they find stability of sorts in each other and their games; when Darling is sent to America, it's not the panacea she expected. Her frank observations of the differences between the two countries make it clear that, despite her opportunities, she may not be better off. Debut author NoViolet Bulawayo is a writer to watch; the short story that became this novel's first chapter won the Caine Prize, also known as "the African Booker," in 2011." Fiction A to Z January 2014 newsletter http://www.libraryaware.com/996/NewsletterIssues/ViewIssue/08d5616c-a421-41b2-9f98-6535d3775ee7?postId=a9ff8cf2-4c1b-4150-af29-533cdefdcca0

I agree that the first part of the book set in Africa was more well written and compelling than the part set in America. However, it is unusual to find a book that can integrate modern technology (use of Skype, laptop porn, etc.) into an immigrant story some seamlessly.

The first part of this book was riveting; then her situation changed and it became page after page of pointless dialogue. Then the story suddenly skips on to the next generation and it feels like the author is in a big rush to finish. The writing is patchy. It goes from gritty to sentimental to sad and next minute the teenagers are watching porn on the computer. I think it needed some editing or maybe the help of a ghost writer.
By the way, I wish someone had warned me so I am putting a warning here; the book contains graphic descriptions of cruelty to animals. I was sickened by the description of the soldiers kicking a small pet dog around like a football, and the squashed dog description on the very last page was there only for shock value-we had already been told several times how cruel and callous the soldiers were. The scene was out of context and disgusted me.

I was not sure what to expect from this book except the story about life in Zimbabwe. The shift to American life was sharp and served the story well. A heart-wrenching story because it is surely a fictionalized account of the experiences of so many people.

I enjoyed this book greatly. The only issue I had with it was a short section that was very graphic/vulgar (unnecessarily so, in my opinion) that involved pornography. Just to warn others. Overall, an excellent story and deserving of the high praise being given to Ms. Bulawayo.